Rheumatoid Arthritis Signs and symptoms

Rheumatoid Arthritis

    * Introduction
    * Signs and symptoms
    * Causes and Risk Factors
    * Evolution and complications
    * Diagnosis
    * Treatment

Signs and symptoms
For millions of people who suffer from one of more than 100 forms of arthritis, pain and limitation of physical activity part of everyday reality. The onset of rheumatoid arthritis is usually insidious, consisting of symptoms and evolving progressively towards joint symptoms. In some cases, symptoms may occur simultaneously.
Systemic symptoms:
- Fatigue, stiffness and pains - Progressive transformation of pain into a permanent embarrassment - Loss of appetite and weight loss - General weakness - Mild fever and sweating during periods of crisis - Sleep disturbance - Dry eyes and mouth (Gougerot-Sjogren syndrome) - Depression caused by pain, chronicity of disease or quality of life
Symptoms include joint pain and morning stiffness that persist for at least an hour. This stiffness can also happen at other times of the day, especially after a prolonged period of inactivity. Affected joints may become painful, with erythema (redness), heat, swelling and limitation of movement.
One of the characteristic symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis is the occurrence of pain in the joints affected, when the patient makes a move. Joint pain are generally nocturnal awakening and exacerbated the affects symmetrical joints (both sides)
All joints can be affected by rheumatoid arthritis, although most commonly affected hand joints (proximal interphalangeal and metacarpophalangeal). Inflammatory outbursts occurring increasingly frequently, reaching other joints (knees, elbows, shoulders, etc..) And limiting movement. Axial skeleton is rarely involved, except the cervical vertebrae. Synovial thickening can be seen.
Deformities characteristic of rheumatoid arthritis are "swan neck" and deformation in the buttonhole.
Subcutaneous rheumatoid nodules are not usually an early sign, but eventually grow to 30% of patients, generally located in regions around the joints, level surfaces and expansion of areas under pressure (eg, surface extension the forearm).
Most often, rheumatoid nodules are not painful, but can become infected from an injury or break. Rheumatoid nodules occur in patients with circulating rheumatoid factors.